He was not the kind of man
that would walk you to school hand in hand
he was hard work leathered and tan
and he spoke with a throat full of sand
me I'd hang on every word you never know
what you might learn

Son, don't let your horseshoes point down
never put a blade in the ground
always look a man right square in the eye
don't let the good life pass you by

any little problem of mine
he'd spit and say boy you'll be fine
he knew that there'd come a time
when I'd find real mountains to climb
life can be cruel to us all
sooner or later we fall

Son, don't let your horseshoes point down
never put a blade in the ground
always look a man right square in the eye
don't let the good life pass you by

I only ever once saw him cry
the day that his own mother died
just one tear in the corner of his eye
then he smiled and said, softly, goodbye
Me I've got two of my own
and a love that is solid as stone
like a stone

Son, don't let your horseshoes point down
never put a blade in the ground
always look a man right square in the eye
don't let the good life pass you by